Systems and methods for management of data storage devices in a heterogeneous computing platform

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing performance of storage drives in heterogenous computing platforms of IHSs (Information Handling Systems) are described. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a heterogeneous computing platform includes devices and a memory storing firmware instructions. Based on execution of these firmware instructions by a respective device, a corresponding firmware service is provided such that one of the devices operates as an orchestrator. The orchestrator receives reports of changes in the context of operation of the IHS by a user and determines storage drive settings that are mapped to the reported user context, where the storage drive settings modify operations by the plurality of storage drives of the IHS. The orchestrator configures one or more of the plurality of storage drives of the IHS using the storage drive settings and thus adjusts the performance of the IHS in response to the change in user context.

1 . An Information Handling System (IHS), comprising:
 a plurality of storage drives;   a heterogeneous computing platform comprising a plurality of devices; and   a memory coupled to the heterogeneous computing platform, wherein the memory comprises a plurality of sets of firmware instructions, wherein each of the sets of firmware instructions, upon execution by a respective device among the plurality of devices, enables the respective device to provide a corresponding firmware service, and wherein at least one of the plurality of devices operates as an orchestrator configured to:
 receive a report of a change in a context of operation of the IHS by a user; 
 determine storage drive settings that are mapped to the reported user context, wherein the storage drive settings modify operations by the plurality of storage drives of the IHS; and 
 configure one or more of the plurality of storage drives of the IHS using the storage drive settings. 
   
     
     
         2 . The IHS of  claim 1 , wherein the reported change in user context comprises a detected change in a proximity of the user of the IHS. 
     
     
         3 . The IHS of  claim 1 , wherein the reported change in user context comprises a detected change in a physical orientation of the user relative to the IHS. 
     
     
         4 . The IHS of  claim 1 , wherein the reported change in user context comprises a detected change in an attentiveness of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The IHS of  claim 1 , wherein the heterogeneous computing platform comprises at least one of an x86 processor and an ARM processor. 
     
     
         6 . The IHS of  claim 1 , wherein the storage drive settings mapped to the user context comprises a power allocation for operation of at least one of the storage drives while exceeding thermal constraints on operation of the IHS while the user is not in proximity to the IHS. 
     
     
         7 . The IHS of  claim 6 , wherein the thermal constraints on operation of the IHS comprise a cool mode that limits an outer surface temperature of the IHS. 
     
     
         8 . The IHS of  claim 6 , wherein the thermal constraints on operation of the IHS comprise a quiet mode that limits noise generated by the IHS. 
     
     
         9 . The IHS of  claim 1 , wherein the orchestrator is further configured to:
 determine when a first of the storage drives of the IHS is managed via an inband signaling pathway; and   adjust the storage drive settings used to configure the first storage drive, wherein the adjustments increase data storage capabilities of the first storage drive.   
     
     
         10 . The IHS of  claim 1 , wherein the orchestrator is further configured to:
 determine when a first of the storage drives of the IHS is managed via an inband signaling pathway; and   adjust the storage drive settings used to configure the first storage drive, wherein the adjustments decrease data storage capabilities of the first storage drive.   
     
     
         11 . The IHS of  claim 1 , wherein the orchestrator is further configured to:
 determine when a first of the storage drives of the IHS is a discrete device of the IHS; and   adjust the storage drive settings used to configure the first storage drive, wherein the adjustments increase data storage capabilities of the first storage drive.   
     
     
         12 . The IHS of  claim 1 , wherein the orchestrator is further configured to:
 determine when a first of the storage drives of the IHS is an integrated component of the IHS; and   adjust the storage drive settings used to configure the first storage drive, wherein the adjustments decrease data storage capabilities of the first storage drive.   
     
     
         13 . The IHS of  claim 1 , wherein the reported user context comprises a user-initiated launching of a software application within an operating system of the IHS and wherein the storage drive settings that are mapped to the reported user context comprise an increase in power allocated for use by a first of the storage drives storing files used by the software application. 
     
     
         14 . The IHS of  claim 13 , wherein the software application comprises a machine learning system and the files are utilized to operate the machine learning system on the IHS. 
     
     
         15 . The IHS of  claim 1 , wherein the reported user context comprises a user-initiated event within a software application operating within an operating system of the IHS, and wherein the storage drive settings that are mapped to the reported user context comprise an increase in power allocated for use by a first of the storage drives that stores one or more files linked to the user-initiated event. 
     
     
         16 . The IHS of  claim 15 , wherein the event within the software application comprises a selected playback of the one or more files by a multimedia application operating on the IHS. 
     
     
         17 . A memory coupled to a heterogeneous computing platform, wherein the heterogeneous computing platform comprises a plurality of devices, wherein the memory is configured to receive a plurality of sets of firmware instructions, wherein each set of firmware instructions, upon execution by a respective device among the plurality of devices, enables the respective device to provide a corresponding firmware service without any involvement by any host Operating System (OS), and wherein at least one of the plurality of devices operates as an orchestrator configured to:
 receive a report of a change in a context of operation of the IHS by a user;   determine storage drive settings that are mapped to the reported user context, wherein the storage drive settings modify operations by the plurality of storage drives of the IHS; and   configure one or more of the plurality of storage drives of the IHS using the storage drive settings.   
     
     
         18 . The memory of  claim 17 , wherein the storage drive settings mapped to the user context comprises a power allocation for operation of at least one of the storage drives while exceeding thermal constraints on operation of the IHS while the user is not in proximity to the IHS. 
     
     
         19 . The memory of  claim 17 , wherein the heterogeneous computing platform comprises at least one of an x86 processor and an ARM processor. 
     
     
         20 . A method for managing performance of an Information Handling System (IHS) comprising a plurality of storage drives, comprising:
 receive a report of a change in a context of operation of the IHS by a user, wherein the report is received by an orchestrator of a heterogeneous computing platform of the IHS;   determine, by the orchestrator, storage drive settings that are mapped to the reported user context, wherein the storage drive settings modify operations by the plurality of storage drives of the IHS; and   configure, by the orchestrator, one or more of the storage drives of the IHS using the storage drive settings.